Aaron is editor of Juno Plus, which aims to bring together both Juno’s extensive dance music knowledge and heritage to give it’s readers a comprehensive global resource of the latest developments in the industry.
When Aaron isn’t down the local pub, it’s likely he’ll either be working on a deadline, interviewing an international DJ or jetting around the globe to report on the latest developments in music … jobs like this don’t come about easily, a refined taste and knowledge of electronic music is paramount to his life.
Aaron has provided us an exceptionally smooth mix, which you can find in the player, featuring tracks from Theo Parish, Omar-S and Chez Damier. He has also selected his top five essential 12″ for 2010.
- Head High: It’s A Love Thing [Power House]
It’s all about the Piano Invasion version on this absurdly cheeky Hardwax 12″. An almost comical thud that would make Kerri Chandler blush is augmented brilliantly by those delicious piano rave stabs. A nice counterpoint to all the moody techno that came out this year. Too epic for words. - Bakey USTL – EP 1 [Unthank]
As soon as I heard “A Tender Place” for the first time (in a mix House Of Traps did for Juno Plus), I knew I had to have this record in my life. And being from the Firecracker stable, I knew they’d ensure the visual aesthetic matched the aural quality. And so it proved – they pressed it up on delish 10” clear vinyl (via a new sub-label called Unthank). Looking forward to what this mysterious Estonian born, Amsterdam based producer will come up with next. - FCL – Vocals For Everyone! [We Play House]
Two of 2010’s finest retro house tunes on one record. “More Than Seven” is oven warm, a perfect mood setter, while “Let’s Go” has ‘peak time dancefloor fodder’ stamped indelibly on its forehead – it seriously feels like an old favourite the first time you hear it. - Moodymann – Ol’ Dirty Vinyl [Mahogani]
The highlight of Kenny Dixon Jnr’s year was undoubtedly his virtuoso interview performance for the Red Bull Music Academy (“some people go home and fuck their wives, I go home and fuck my MPC”), but this record comes in a close second. Not one but two killer cuts here – “Ol’ Dirty Vinyl (U Used To Know)” and “It’s 2 Late 4 U & Me”. - Scuba – You Got Me [Hotflush Records]
My two favourite tracks from Scuba’s Triangulation album on one 12″. In my opinion no one is capable of bringing out the emotive side of dubstep better than Paul Rose. “So You Think You’re Special” still gives me chills when I listen to it.